The coming summers will be a major blow to the residents as the heat of summers will in the form of an increased tariff as far as power consumptions and rates are concerned. The residents will have to shell out extra money from their pockets to pay their power bills as the UT electricity department has proposed a hike of 20 percent in the electricity rates. The proposal has been made to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) keeping in mind the shortfall in revenue.

It is pertinent to mention that the UT electricity department has been running short of revenue. There has been a shortfall of Rs 190 crore in the power department revenue. Also, it shall be noted that there has hardly been any hike in the electricity prices from the last many years. It was in the year 2016-17 when the last hike was implemented. Though the power department in May 2017 claimed that it is running short of revenue, but the power hike was not approved.

The move however has been condemned by the residents as well as the members of Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC). The decision will be given the final nod only after taking the suggestions and objections from the residents.